One of King Country’s most prestigious farms is for sale for the first time in 47 years.
Jocelyn Chambers grew up on her parents’ Rangitoto farm. In 1976, with her late husband Gerald, she purchased the Tiki Tiki Road property, 23 kilometres south of Te Kuiti, as she explains.
“Gerald and I had been living overseas, and were back in New Zealand for the birth of our first child. We wanted a rural lifestyle for our family and were looking for a property to provide that when the opportunity arose to buy this farm.
“My mother was an environmentalist before it was in vogue. She planted a lot of trees herself and knew the family that was selling this farm. She knew about all the trees they had planted here in the 1940s and 50s, and the philosophy behind that. This was the right option for us. We bought the farm and came back to live here permanently the following year,” she says.
Originally from England, Gerald Chambers was a mechanical engineer who served his apprenticeship in Buckinghamshire, where he regularly cycled past Chequers, the country house of the British prime minister. When he and Jocelyn bought the farm its tree and daffodil lined driveway reminded him of the entrance to that famous house, which inspired the couple to borrow the name.
In the late 1970s the Chambers built a new homestead and wool shed at Chequers.
From the start they have employed at least two staff to manage the farm. Over the past few years Jocelyn has taken a more active role.
“I’ve always been an environmentalist, and have adopted a more regenerative approach to the farm recently. Basically that means we have to stop poisoning the environment: at Chequers our use of chemicals is minimal. We follow research-based practices that seek to nurture the soil, which results in better grass, and is reflected in our stock quality.
“Every year we make sure to put on micronutrients that are not included with regular fertiliser. We send away soil to the United States for testing. Because we use minimal sprays, we have plenty of beehives. Regenerative agriculture is particularly useful to improve animal health, for example the incidence of facial eczema on the farm has dropped noticeably since we have followed this philosophy,” says Jocelyn.
Jocelyn has engaged Peter Wylie of PGG Wrightson Real Estate, Te Kuiti to offer the 872 hectare farm for sale. He describes Chequers as a King Country ‘trophy.’
“Chequers is an exquisite property. As well as being a sheep and beef breeding and finishing farm with immaculate infrastructure, its magnificent five bedroom homestead features natural timbers, exposed beams, rustic brickwork and imported hand painted ceramics, plus a swimming pool sauna and spa, set in a majestic 8000 square metre park of English-inspired gardens, with 80 hectares of native bush as a back drop. A water-lily covered lake with a cottage alongside characterises Chequers’ charm and ambience.
“Most of the farm is flat to easy rolling contour, running up to steeper hill country. Well maintained laneways make farm management a pleasure; there are two sets of cattle yards and three sheep yards, plus an excellent airstrip. Stock currently comprises a 200 head herd of Angus breeding cows, plus replacements and steers, and 2900 highly productive ewes producing around 4000 lambs per annum. For the past few years the farm has been conservatively managed, which offers a new owner some options,” says Peter.
Chequers is acknowledged as a King Country show piece.
“In the 1980s and 90s it was used several times as a film location, including for a feature film and television commercials. Its grandeur remains as strong today as it was back then, and it could easily be used as a location in future.
“Chequers offers an opportunity for farmers to add to their portfolio. Equally, for a non-farmer motivated to invest in New Zealand, it presents as a chance to own something very special while reaping the benefits of a productive farm, and experiencing everything that is good in rural life,” he says.
Adjacent to the multi-level brick, tile and redwood homestead is a matching single building incorporating stables, tack room, feed room, chicken house and log shed. Chequers’ four bedroom, two bathroom manager’s house also has an in-ground swimming pool, and the property includes another workers’ residence, maintained to a high standard.
Chequers is 62 kilometres north of Taumarunui, 70 kilometres south of Te Awamutu and 209 kilometres south of Auckland Airport. It is for sale by tender, with tenders sought by a deadline of 25 November 2022.
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